Total renunciation means to be completely
detached from all sinful actions caused by all kinds of
delusions. Such a person should not entertain sinful thoughts,
utter sinful words; and commit any sinful action by means of his
body. Not only should person completely refrain from all kinds of
sin but also should not be an supporter of sin that might be
committed by others. If any one commits a sinful action, such
person should not encourage it nor should he agree in it. Even
these actions, he should not commit by means of thought, word or
action.

When a person renounces worldly life and all
worldly attachments and is initiated into Samyamadharma or the
way of discipline and austerity, the man is called Sadhu,
ascetic, Shraman, or Muni and the woman is called Sadhvi,
Shramani, or Aryä.

Those who get initiated into the life of
discipline and austerity and become Sadhus and Sadhvis must take
a vow to act strictly in accordance with the five great
austerities. (There are five special kinds of vows).

The five great vows

1. The Pranatipätaviraman
Mahavrat- Non-violence

2. Mrishavadaviraman Mahävrat -
Truthfulness

3. Adattadänaviraman Mahavrat-
Non-stealing

4. Maithunaviraman Mahaivrat-
Celibacy

5. Parigrahaviraman Mahavrat-
Non-attachment.

Those who are initiated into the path of
austerity must take this sacred vow," O Lord Arihant! I will
not commit the sins of violence, uttering falsehood, stealing and
carnal enjoyments, or be possesive, in word, thought or deed; nor
will I assist any one in committing such sins. If anyone is
committing such sins, I will not approve of and endorse them. Oh
Lord! I hereby take a sacred and solemn vow that throughout my
life, I will conform to these five austerities, the five gems of
Jain conduct."

The Jain Sadhus and Sadhvis never cause harm or
violence to any living being. They live according to the pledge
that they will not harm even the tiniest creatures.

They do not speak untruth in whatever
circumstances they might be entangled. They will not lie on
account of fear, desire, anger, or on account of deceptive
intentions.

Without the permission of the owner, they will
not take even a small thing like a straw.

They have to observe the vow of celibacy with
an absolute adherence to it. In this respect, the rules of
conduct to be adhered to are absolutely strict and they should be
observed with care. The Sadhus should not touch the members of
the opposite sex, even to a child. In the same manner, the
Sadhvis should not touch the members of the other sex, even to a
child. The touching of the members of the opposite sex is
strictly prohibited in the case of the Jain Sadhus and Sadhvis.
In case, they touch the members of the opposite sex either by
mistake or in ignorance, they have to undergo the ritual of
Prayashchitta for selfpurification.

There is a reason behind the rule that
prohibits the touching of even the children of the opposite sex.
The reason is that it is not possibie to draw a line of
demarcation regarding the actual age of such youngsters. Not only
it would be hard to do so but they can develop attachment which
they have left. It is necessary to take some precautions to
adhere to this rule of conduct strictly. There is a psychological
bearing in respect of this rule of conduct. If we once allow the
mind to go down, it will keep declining, step by step.

The Jain Sadhus cannot keep money with them.
They cannot own or have control on any wealth or houses or any
such movable or immovable property. They should limit their
necessities to the lowest limit and apart from those limits they
should not own anything or should not have attachment for any
thing.